Autism Charlotte: #SpotlightOnCLT Autism Awareness
Today's highlight for #SpotlightOnCLT Autism Awareness is all about Autism Charlotte. We spoke with Executive Director, Valerie Iseah, about Autism Charlotte's role in the community.
Since inception in 2016, Autism Charlotte (AC) has operated programs focused on helping children and youth with autism achieve their full potential with services aimed at educational, social, and personal skill development. Historically, our programs have been delivered in various public schools and YMCA facilities. However, in March 2020, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, those sites were forced to close, leaving Autism Charlotte with no place to deliver services. Click on their profile link below to learn about their brand new space, hosting the Academy for Students with Autism, the first of it's kind in Charlotte!
What would you like the community to know about the challenges your organization is trying to solve?
1 in 44 US children live with the challenges of autism, thousands of whom call Charlotte home. Yet, children and youth with autism remain one of the most grossly under-served populations in our community.
What is your organization's role in the community?
Autism Charlotte helps children and youth with autism reach their full potential through a continuum of services focused on educational, social, and personal skill development. We also provide information, education, and support for the parents and families who love, care, and are navigating the affects of autism with them.
We love impact stories, could you share one?
Brandon came to us as a young child, who seemed locked inside himself with little verbal or social skills. Over the past 10 years, he has participated in almost every program Autism Charlotte offers. Today, Brandon is an active participant in our Paths Academy, which focuses on helping teens and young adults prepare and transition into adulthood. We and his family are amazed at his progress, as he is currently a college student, employee, and Autism Charlotte Volunteer. He even designed a T-shirt as part of a collaboration between Autism Charlotte and 704 Shop, focused on bringing awareness to autism. Needless to say, the shirt was a sell out! In the words of his mother “I was really concerned about what would happen with Brandon. I didn’t know what his life would be like or if he would ever function as an adult. But, because of Autism Charlotte’s programs, Brandon is well on his way now.”
About the image pictured above: iCanBike program and participants
Contact: Valerie Iseah
email: viseah@autismcharlotte.org
SHARE Charlotte Nonprofit Profile: Autism Charlotte